Sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine effect in the inhibition of mutans streptococci in children with dental caries: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare the effect of sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine on salivary levels of mutans streptococci (MS), in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Thirty-five healthy volunteers, aged 4-8 years, with at least one active carious lesion and no previous history of allergies were selected to participate in the study. A gel formulation containing either 1.23% sodium fluoride or 1% chlorhexidine was topically administered to the dentition every 24 h for 6 consecutive days. Salivary MS levels were measured at baseline (D1) and on the 6th (D6), 15th (D15), and 30th (D30) days. For microbiological analysis, Mitis Salivarius-Bacitracin agar medium was used.


RESULTS
Difference between treatments was only verified on D6. On the last day of treatment 1% chlorhexidine gel was significantly more effective than fluoride (P = 0.0000). The use of sodium fluoride did not cause a statistically significant variation in salivary MS levels throughout the duration of the study. Following treatment, a subsequent increase in MS counts between D6 and D15 (P = 0.0001) was observed with chlorhexidine.


CONCLUSIONS
A 6-day treatment with a 1% chlorhexidine gel was effective in reducing salivary MS; there was a significant MS increase once treatment was suspended. The use of 1.23% sodium fluoride under the same regimen was not able to reduce salivary MS levels. Our results suggest repeated treatment with 1% chlorhexidine as a means for maintaining low salivary MS levels in children with dental caries.
Lobo
P L D
PL
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
de Carvalho
C B M
CB
Fonseca
S G C
SG
de Castro
R S L
RS
Monteiro
A J
AJ
Fonteles
M C
MC
Fonteles
C S R
CS
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002710:Chlorhexidine